Strokes happen fast, and getting help quickly can help you make a full recovery.
Stroke symptoms come on suddenly. The most common symptoms are:
- Numbness or weakness of face, arms, or leg, especially on only one side of the body
- Confusion or trouble speaking or understanding
- Trouble seeing in one or both eyes
- Trouble walking, dizziness, or loss of balance or coordination
- Severe headache with no known causes
Even if your stroke symptoms go away, call 911 right away. Temporary stroke symptoms are often caused by a "mini-stroke," or transient ischemic attack (TIA). A TIA happens when blood flow to part of the brain is blocked temporarily.
TIAs may not last long, but they still require treatment. Also, a TIA could be a sign that you are about to have a full stroke.